Sedatives for scans, procedures and flying

We do not prescribe sedatives, such as diazepam, to help with nerves before a scan, a hospital or dental procedure, or a flight.

We know scans, procedures and flying can make people very anxious. This page explains why we do not prescribe sedatives for them, and what can help instead.

Scans and procedures

This includes MRI scans, other hospital tests and dental treatment.

If you need a sedative, the team doing your scan or procedure should arrange it. They can give it safely and check on you while it works. A tablet from your GP is not safe in the same way, because:

• it may not work well enough, and nobody is there to check on you while it takes effect
• appointments can run late or be cancelled, so the tablet may wear off too soon or be taken for nothing
• it can make you drowsy, confused and unsteady for the rest of the day
• a few people become more agitated, not calmer

National prescribing guidance (the British National Formulary) says these medicines should not be used for short-term phobias such as claustrophobia.

What you can do

• tell the hospital or dentist as soon as you can that you are worried, so they can plan for it
• ask whether they can offer sedation, or a different scanner, such as an open MRI
• ask if a friend or relative can come with you

You can show this page to your hospital team or dentist. This guidance explains how sedation should be given safely:

• Sedation, analgesia and anaesthesia in radiology (opens the Royal College of Radiologists website), for hospital teams
• Sedation explained (opens the Royal College of Anaesthetists website), a leaflet for patients

Flying

Sedatives are not safe to take on a flight, because:

• you may not be able to act quickly or follow instructions in an emergency
• sitting still for a long time while sedated raises your risk of a blood clot in your leg (deep vein thrombosis)
• some people behave strangely or become agitated, which can cause problems on board
• diazepam is a controlled drug and is illegal in some countries, even with a prescription

What can help

• a fear of flying course: several airlines run them, so ask yours
• talking therapy for anxiety, which you can refer yourself to: find NHS talking therapies (opens the NHS website)

If anxiety is affecting your life

If anxiety is a problem beyond one scan or flight, ask for an appointment. We can talk about treatments that help in the longer term.